On the new Japan vacation, experience a breathtaking bamboo forest, a centuries-old temple, or a high-tech metropolis, adventurers will be fully immersed in the ancient customs and storied traditions deeply rooted within this cultural wonderland.

Trip Highlights Include:

Rickshaw Tour
Tour Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and the Bamboo Forest in a traditional rickshaw.

Kyoto Dinner and Show
Feast in an elegant setting, meet a Maiko and try your hand at Samurai sword play.

Origami Crane Folding in Hiroshima
Celebrate peace and fold a unique paper crane, then add it to the museum's colleciton.

Bento Box-Making
Make an authentic Japanese bento box at a local cooking school—then enjoy your delectable creation.

Hozugama River Boat Ride
Take in the enchanting scenery that surrounds yo on an exhilarating ride on the Hozuawa River.

Sumo Experience & Museum
Discover the ancient sport of sumo wrestling and see a live demonstration.

Shirakawa-go Village
Visit this serene, traditional mountain village that provides a rare look at life in pre-modern Japan.

Shinto Shrines & Buddhist Temples
Learn the history of some of Japan’s iconic shrines and temples.

Taiko Drumming
Keep the beat as you learn to play taiko, a Japanese tradition that dates backs centuries.

Japan - Adventure Dates

2019

April 14-April 24, 2019: Adult Exclusive (18 and older)

May 19-May 29, 2019

June 2-June 12, 2019

June 16-June 26, 2019

June 23-July 3, 2019

June 30-July 10, 2019

July 7-July 17, 2019

July 14-July 24, 2019

July 21-July 31, 2019

July 28-August 7, 2019

September 29-October 9, 2019: Adult Exclusive (18 and older)

October 6-October 16, 2019

October 13-October 23, 2019: Adult Exclusive (18 and older)

*= Guaranteed Departures

Japan - Adventure Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in OsakaKonnichiwa, and welcome to Japan! Once you pass through Passport Control and retrieve your bags from the Baggage Claim area with help from an Adventures by Disney representative, settle into your private transfer and enjoy the ride from Osaka International Airport (ITM) to your hotel in Kyoto.

Check in at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Upon arrival at your hotel in Kyoto, your Adventure Guides will get you checked in. After check-in, take time to explore the hotel, as well as the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, which is famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Compassion.

Dinner at Hotel
Relax and unwind with a delicious dinner in one of the hotel's three restaurants that provide an array of dining options.

Meal included: Dinner

Day 2

Rickshaw Tour: Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest
Begin your amazing adventure with an exploration of the historic city of Kyoto from a traditional rickshaw. Tour the scenic streets of Arashiyama, a district on Kyoto’s western outskirts, as you learn about the city’s history and culture. You'll also ride into the district's renowned Bamboo Forest, a massive grove of manicured bamboo trees that are magical to see.

Arashiyama District Walking Tour
Enjoy a guided morning walking tour of the Arashiyama district, an area of scenic beauty which features the Bamboo Forest as well as many temples, including the magnificent Zen temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, home to one of Kyoto's loveliest gardens and surrounded by forested mountain views.

Lunch at Yoshiya Restaurant in Arashiyama
Soak up the atmosphere of this ancient city through the wonderful flavors and aromas of a traditional Japanese meal while enjoying amazing views of Arashiyama from the restaurant’s Arashi-no-tei room..

Pure Water Temple Walking Tour
Marvel at the beauty of Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, or Pure Water Temple, one of Kyoto's most celebrated sacred monuments. Founded in 780, the temple was built on the site of Otowa Waterfall, whose waters are divided into 3 streams, from which visitors are invited to drink in order to receive longevity, success at school and a good love life. But be warned—drinking from all 3 streams is considered greedy! Pure Water Temple is also known for its wooden stage which was built without a single nail and juts out over the hillside offering stunning views of the maple and cherry trees below, as well as the city of Kyoto off in the distance.

Welcome Dinner at the Sudoh
Join your fellow Adventurers for a wonderful welcome dinner at one of Kyoto’s finest upscale restaurants. Share stories from your day in Kyoto and discuss adventures still to come as you dine on attentively handcrafted dishes in an intimate Japanese setting.

Maiko Performance with Costume Photo Op
Delight in the playful ambience created by a Maiko (Geisha in training) and thrill to Samurai sword masters as they share their vibrant cultures and history through their performance. Guests are also invited to don traditional costumes for a fun Samurai lesson and photo opportunity.

Lunch on your own in Miyajima
Known as the “Island of the Gods,” Miyajima is often named as one of the most scenic spots in Japan. Enjoy exploring this beautiful island which is also home to many wonderful dining options for an appetizing lunch.

Torii Gate Photo Op
Rendezvous with your fellow Adventurers for a fantastic photo op at the iconic Torii Gate, which is the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine. Due to its location, the gate appears to float on the water when the tide comes in.

Shinto Shrine and Buddhist Temple Tour
Learn the history of the popular Itsukushima Shinto shrine and its famed Torii Gate from a local expert who will take you on a tour of the shrine and a nearby Buddhist temple.

Museum Visit (or Fold Origami Cranes)
Discover the history and the horrors of Hiroshima and its role in World War II. The museum houses many exhibits and information, plus substantial memorabilia and images from the bombing. (Due to the graphic nature of some of the museum’s images and exhibits, Guests may choose to participate in an origami crane folding activity. The activity is tied to Hiroshima through 10-year-old Sadako Sasaki and an ancient legend that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. To this day, visitors to the museum, as well as people around the world, continue to fold origami cranes and add them to the collection at the statue created in Sadako’s memory.)

Return Origami Cranes to Pavilion
Add your origami crane—a global symbol of peace—to the millions of cranes that are created and sent to the Children’s Peace Monument from the world over where they are on display as a monument to world peace.

Okonomiyaki Dinner Experience
Dig into a local favorite food—Okonomiyaki! This healthy crepe is crafted to accommodate individual tastes and is filled with choices that include meat, seafood, noodles, vegetables or any combination of these ingredients. The dish is so beloved by the people of Hiroshima, there are over 2,000 Okonomiyaki restaurants in the region.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4

Honpo-Ji Temple Tour & Taiko Drumming
Visit Honpo-ji, a 15th-century Zen temple with a magnificent garden that includes a lotus pond and an arrangement of rocks meant to resemble a waterfall. On your tour, you’ll feel the beat as you get a hands-on demonstration of Taiko drumming on Japanese percussion instruments.

Bento Box Cooking Class
Experience the art of authentic Japanese cuisine as local instructors teach you how to create a traditional bento box with fresh, local ingredients.

Bento Box Lunch
Put your culinary skills to the test as you dine on the bento boxes you created during your cooking class.

Hozugawa River Boat Ride
Traverse the scenic Hozugawa River from Kameoka to Kyoto on an exhilarating 2-hour river boat ride that covers 9.9 miles (16 kilometers) of beautiful seasonal scenery that includes exciting rapids, stunning rock formations and gorgeous flowers and trees.

Dotonbori Food District Tour (Optional)
For Adventurers looking to take in some more sights, join your Adventure Guides for a walking tour of Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s main tourist destinations. This large-scale downtown area runs along the bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Explore the throngs of restaurants and amusement facilities that include theaters for traditional puppet shows, storytellers’ halls and other popular entertainment. After the walking tour, Adventurers can enjoy some On Your Own Time to explore this vibrant area.

Hozenji Temple
Enjoy a visit to Hozenji Temple. Tucked away in a quiet area is this small 17th-century temple that offers a lovely nighttime atmosphere, lit with the warm glow of paper lanterns. Hozenji Temple is also the home of the “moss Buddha,” named due to worshippers making their supplications not by throwing coins, but instead splashing water on the statue of the deity. Because of this practice, the statue is now covered in a soft, green carpet of moss.

Dinner on your own in Kyoto
Explore the wonderful city of Kyoto, famous for its classical Buddhist temples, magnificent gardens, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for its food, which includes traditional kaiseki dining with multiple courses of precisely prepared dishes. Ask your Adventure Guides to recommend something for your family, or discover a new favorite on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5

Fushimi Inari Shrine: Torii Trail
Trek through a remarkable trail of over ten thousand orange Torii gates that lead to sacred Mt. Inari and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. With each Torii donated by businesses, organizations and individuals grateful for their luck and prosperity, the Torii Trail extends high onto the mountain.

Todaiji Temple & Park
Stand in awe of Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most historically significant temples and an iconic structure in Nara. The main hall, known as Big Buddha Hall, is the world’s largest wooden building. Inside this massive structure sits one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues, reaching a height of just under 50 feet (15 meters).

Nara Main Shopping Street
Discover everything from unique souvenirs to local crafts to mouth-watering dining spots as you cruise down Nara’s famous Higashimuki Shopping Street. This covered street is packed with a large variety of shops, both major retail outlets and independent boutiques and restaurants.

Mochi-Making Demonstration & Tasting
Visit a local shop where they make mochi, a favorite treat of sticky, chewy rice-based dough filled with sweet red bean paste, the old fashioned way that dates back hundreds of years. After the amazing demonstration, enjoy a taste of this uniquely Japanese dessert.

Lunch on your own in NaraContinue to discover all that this amazing city has to offer, especially through its flavorful foods. Ask an Adventure Guide to recommend a favorite spot, or find one of your own.

Kehaya-za Sumo Experience & Museum
Learn about the history of the traditional Japanese sport of Sumo wrestling at this fun and informative museum where you’ll not only discover a fascinating exhibit of the sport’s ancient beginnings, but you’ll step into the museum’s dohyo, a sand-filled ring, where you will see a live Sumo demonstration.

Junior Adventurer Movie Dinner

After a fun-filled day in Nara, Junior Adventurers can relax at the hotel with the Adventure Guides, with a kid-friendly dinner followed by a Disney movie.

Adults Dinner at Leisure

Enjoy dinner at your leisure in one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Onsen Experience

Unwind and relax with an Onsen open-air bathing experience on the hotel’s rooftop which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain scenery.

Meals include: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6

Historic Village of Shirakawa-Go
Step back hundreds of years in time as your Adventure Guides take you on a walking tour of Shirakawa-go, a fascinating village cut off from the world due to its isolated mountain location. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village has Gassho-style housing with steep-pitched thatched roofs which are the only examples of their kind in Japan.

Traditional Japanese Lunch at Irori
Dine on dishes from Irori’s unique menu while seated around a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. The menu features fresh vegetables and edible wild plants picked in the surrounding villages of Gokayama, Hida and Shirakawa-go.

Countryside Bike Ride
Pedal through the scenic countryside on this leisurely bike trip that takes you into a quaint farming village where you’ll see a way of life that has been passed down for generations. Your knowledgeable guide will teach about the Satoyama history and culture as you travel through rice fields and charming ancient streets on this unique adventure.

Dinner at Suzuya
Experience a calm and tranquil meal in this architecturally authentic restaurant that features traditional melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef as well as vegetarian-friendly meals.

Onsen Experience
Unwind and relax with an Onsen open-air bathing experience on the hotel’s rooftop which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain scenery.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7

Guided Food Tasting Walking Tour of Historic Takayama Market District & Calligraphy Lesson
Spend the morning exploring Takayama’s old town district with its beautifully preserved buildings and streets that date back to the 17th century. As you walk through the historic Takayama Market, you’ll stop to sample local fare that includes sake, dumplings, tofu, miso, sweet treats and aromatic coffee. You’ll also receive a hands-on lesson in the art of calligraphy.

Lunch On Your Own in Takayama
Continue exploring Takayama and all it has to offer—which includes an appealing array of lunch options for you to discover.

Scenic Transfer to Odawara
Embark on a scenic journey through the splendor and natural beauty of the rural Japanese landscape between Takayama and Odawara. Conditions permitting, you may get a view of Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains.

Check-in at Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa

elax and discover all the amazing amenities and activities your hotel has to offer. An 18-hole putting golf course, indoor and outdoor pool, and an amusement center with a bowling alley and karaoke, are at your disposal!* You may also choose to soothe your senses with a visit to the hotel’s Hot Spring Hydrotherapy Spa. Once you work up an appetite, the hotel offers several dining options, including a buffet restaurant, 2 lounges and a poolside café.

Dinner On Your Own at Hotel
Enjoy a variety of dishes at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Meals include: Breakfast

Day 8

Hakone Open-Air Museum
Walk amongst a collection of sculptural masterpieces installed in a natural, outdoor setting that reflects the new energy of Japan’s artistic culture. This world-class collection features work by renowned artists, including over 300 pieces by Picasso. With its lush gardens and spectacular scenic backdrop, the museum experience changes with the seasons and the weather.

Lunch in Kamakura
Enjoy a delicious lunch with coastal ocean views in the seaside town of Kamakura.

Kōtoku-in Temple & Buddha Statue
Visit Kōtoku-in, a Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple that is home to one of Japan’s National Treasures—The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a monumental 43 foot (13 meters) tall bronze statue of Amitābha Buddha.

CUPNOODLES Museum
Discover everything you ever wanted to know about CUPNOODLES ramen at this interactive museum whose goal is to stir up the creativity and curiosity in everyone. All your senses come into play as you learn how Momofuku Ando’s creative thinking revolutionized eating customs all over the world. You even get to make Chicken Ramen by hand and create your very own, completely original CUPNOODLES package!

Dinner at Gonpachi
Enjoy a fun and lively meal at this popular destination for Tokyo locals and tourists alike. Hosting the occasional celebrity, the restaurant is also known for its buzzy atmosphere and signature cuisine that pushes traditional Japanese favorites in multiple new directions.

Panoramic Tour of Central Tokyo & Shibuya Crossing
Experience the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities on a nighttime tour of Tokyo in all its bright, neon glory. You’ll also walk the famous Shibuya Crossing, rumored to be the busiest intersection in the world, with over 1,000 people crossing in all directions with each light change!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9

Hama Rikyu Gardens & Tea House
Enjoy a moment of reflection as you walk amongst the beauty of this large landscape garden located along the bay in central Tokyo. The peaceful setting offers a tea house as well as a view of some of Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers that are in stark contrast to the serenity of the lush Hama Rikyu gardens.

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
While some tea ceremonies can last for hours and follow strict guidelines, the Hama Rikyu tea house offers a more informal ceremony in a serene setting that allows you to follow the ritual at your own pace and still feel steeped in Japanese culture.

Sumida River Boat Cruise
Board a water bus and cruise along the Sumida River through the heart of Tokyo from Hama Rikyu gardens to the bustling Asakusa district as you take in Tokyo’s stunning skyline from a unique vantage point.

Sensoji Temple
Visit this striking temple that was completed in 645 A.D., making it Tokyo’s oldest temple. Known for its bright colors and large red paper lantern, Sensoji is one of the most popular temples in the city.

Sushi-Making Class and Lunch
Learn the art of Japanese sushi-making in this fun and informative class where you will make—and then eat—your own sushi.

Afternoon On Your Own in Tokyo
Spend the afternoon exploring Japan’s remarkable capital city of Tokyo, which offers a wealth of museums, shopping and colorful neighborhoods to explore, featuring a perfect blend of old world traditions and contemporary culture.

Dinner on your own in Tokyo

Discover some of the most unique restaurants in the world that mix eye-popping entertainment and Japanese delicacies.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10

Meiji Jingu Shrine & Kagura Ceremony
Make a wish, write it down on an Ema (a wooden tablet) and place it on one of the hooks at Meiji Jingu Shrine as a request to the deities. This is common practice at Meiji Shrine, as is the donation of sake barrels, which can be seen in a massive, colorful display. The shrine is located just steps from the bustling Harajuku Train Station, but once on the shrine grounds, you will find yourself amid a lush forest with walking paths for a relaxing stroll. While at the shrine, you will also watch a traditional Kagura ceremony.

Takeshita Street
Check out the latest fashions on this ultra-trendy street that is lined with shops, boutiques, cafés and fast food outlets. Although it is largely targeting Tokyo’s teenagers, Takeshita Street has something for everybody—and is really something to see!

Lunch and Afternoon On Your Own in Tokyo
The splendor of Tokyo, the world’s most populous metropolitan area, is yours to explore! Overload your senses with a visit to Akihabara, known for its anime, electronic shops, gaming arcades and comic book stores, or enjoy a serene afternoon wandering through Shinjuku Gardens and its traditional Japanese landscapes. There’s something for everyone in this vibrant and exciting city. And after you work up an appetite, there is a seemingly endless number of places to grab a bite that range from Michelin-star ramen to robot-themed restaurants.

Farewell Dinner at Happō-en
Celebrate the end of a truly magnificent journey in a traditional Japanese garden atmosphere that includes a central koi pond. You’ll also participate in a Daruma doll painting activity before sitting down to a lovely catered meal.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11

Transfer to Narita International Airport (NRT), Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Disney Resort
Say sayonara to your fellow Adventurers as you transfer to Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) to begin your journey home. Transfers to Tokyo Disney Resort will be provided to those Guests who are extending their Adventures by Disney Japan vacation.